Ornamental Bamboos [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

David Crompton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2006

Bamboos are among the most fascinating of plants. Their unusual life cycle, tremendous power of growth, and extraordinary diversity of size and form give them a special significance in gardens. And gardens of all sizes can accommodate these elegant plants, which are cold-resistant and surprisingly easy to grow. Yet even today, with bamboos enjoying a well-deserved return to popularity, their horticultural potential remains largely untapped. Some bamboos make impressive specimens for the border, others form a fast-growing hedge or screen, and short forms provide a leafy groundcover. David Crompton explains the characteristics that set bamboos apart, and everything that is needed to grow them successfully. The core of the book is a gardener's guide to nearly two hundred ornamental bamboos to grow and enjoy, supplemented by lists of bamboos for specific purposes.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Bamboo remains a plant of mystery even to savvy gardeners, despite its versatility in garden design. Holder of the United Kingdom's National Collection of Bamboos, Crompton is self-taught nevertheless, and his accessible style illuminates decorative uses of bamboo in large and lilliputian gardens alike. Crompton paints fascinating portraits of these ancient plants, their growth patterns, and botanical characteristics. Along with plenty of practical advice, Crompton presents ornamental examples of bamboos in various settings ranging from lush ground-covering species that can serve as screening that rustles in the wind to stunning cultivars begging to be sited as choice specimens. A listing of highly readable descriptions covers temperate bamboos currently cultivated in Western gardens. Gardeners will learn about invasive and spreading types and be able to identify clump-formers with colorful culms. A final list recommends bamboos for site-specific purposes such as seaside or windswept gardens. Beautiful photography enhances Crompton's informative compendium. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Crompton paints fascinating portraits of these ancient plants, their growth patterns, and botanical characteristics. Along with plenty of practical advice, Crompton presents ornamental examples of bamboos in various settings ranging from lush ground-covering species that can serve as screening that rustles in the wind to stunning cultivars, begging to be sited as choice specimens. ... Beautiful photography enhances Crompton's informative compendium."
—Alice Joyce, Booklist, October 2006 (Booklist )

“I would recommend this book for those who have thought about planting bamboo because they like the exotic look, but have been put off by the invasive reputation of the plant. The book gives so many alternatives and is a good read as well.” (Taffy Turner Washington Gardener )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; First Edition edition (October 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881927902
• ISBN-13: 978-0881927900
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, December 27, 2006

By 

Bamboo Eccentric - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ornamental Bamboos (Hardcover)

I bought this book primarily for the photos to aid in the identification of bamboo that I have and in that respect it does not disappoint. The pictures are sharp and well framed. The author avoids being overly technical about the growth habits of bamboo and offers good advice about choosing the various types of bamboo for differing garden situations. I would recommend this book to anyone new to bamboo in need of some guidance.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ornamental Bamboos, March 9, 2007

By 

Richard J. Schock "Richard Schock" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ornamental Bamboos (Hardcover)

Excellent in all respects. Well written for the beginner or advanced bamboo enthusiast, excellent photos, simply a super reference book on the subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars couldn't be happier, December 29, 2010

By 

Amanda Close (PARSONSBURG, MARYLAND, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ornamental Bamboos (Hardcover)

Excellent reference book with beautiful pictures(comparable to Whitaker's "Taming The Dragon" which I've all but memorized) and for an awesome price, who could ask for more? I could. Am so pleased with this purchase I want another bamboo book. Mmmmmmmm let me see, how about .........